The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-07-14

can be honest and sincere. Against
this error we cannot exercise too great.
caution. "Judge not, that We be not judg-
ed" is sayingas prudent as it is wise.
The depths Of the human heart no human
eve can fathom. Belief is always hon.
est: belief is never IN act of volition. 1t
comes not as man iisteth, but by the ac-
ton Of the intellect. It Is not often
within ones control. 1t is never with
in another's. 1t must be free-it isnot
the subject Of censure; it must
be combatted only by reason: the
only legitimate weapon against it is
argument
A man is answerable to no other
man for the sincerity Of his search after
truth. He ought to desire earnestly
and strive faithfully for correct conclu-
sions; but if he will allow passion and
interest, and not reason and conscience.
to form his opinions, who shall punish
him? Much les is he answerable for
the accuracy Of his logic or the
strength of his reasoning. Yet we are
prone to sit in judgment on his DISPOSE
ton to be right and to determine. not
for ourselves and our guidance, but for
him, whether he is right.
We do not it is true, compel him to a
confession of faith to escape the ter
rors Of the criminal law, but we do seek
to compel him to conform exactly to the
fashionable creed, by bringing upon
him the hatred and ridicule Of society.
Hard words and the instigation of hard
blows by irresponsible men, are methods
OF conversion not entirely unknown
among us; and the more nearly the sub
ject Of opinion approaches the common
interest Of all men. the greater the in
ducement to be honest and jealous in
attaining the truth, the greater seems
to be the disposition to use these meth
DDS Of insuring conviction of error. or
failing that, of infiicting punishment
for contumacy. Men may differ upon
distractions which have no apparent
bearing upon the duties Of life. and
therefore. present no stronger induce
ment to seek TO be right than the mere
love Of truth; but if they differ on ques-
tons Of religion or politics, which ap-
peal by every consideration Of eternal
or temporal welfare to every man to be
honest and sincere and correct in his
opinions, then they are heritics or trail
tors.
If it be Il wee to seek to trammel the
belief Of men, h6w much more vicious
is it that men should permit themselves
to be so trammelled? Every instinct
of pride, every throb of the hears in IA
yor Of freedom of opinion should rebel
against it. 1t is the duty of every man
to be earnest in the use of his faculties:
he should seek truth through every
channel of inquiry The should do it care
fully and faithfully and reyerently. and
then he ought to adopt and avow the
conclusions Of his argument. This i
due to society as well rs to himself,
and the rule applies as well as to reli-
gion and morals and politics as to the
sciences and the arts. ITO give an an
swer to every man that :sketh you a
reason of the hope that is in YOU" inn
plies that there is 4 reason, and that
blind belief is required of no man.
The tendency of our time is to sacri-
flee the liberty of the individual
to the wish or the within of the com.
munity, and this is equally apparent in
all the ranges of opinion But we are
wandering from the true rules of social
and governmental power. Government
is the instrument by which society
abridges the liberty Of men so as to
enable them to live peacably together
II has no authority togo further. And
what is this social law? 1t has beer
accurately defined to be this: THAT
every man is free to do all that he wills,
provided he infringes not the equal free.
dom Of every other Governments
every where are teaching men wha,
they shall do. and society is teach.
ing them what they shall think
And despite the good there
is in their efforts and their inten
tons. they illustrate the inevitable law
that whatever is done wrongfully produ
ces evil. When governments by the I'M
certainty of conviction and punishment
make it profitable to be law breakers, an.
when society makes it respectable TO
men to be hypocrites, the state is poor
~ served, and the church feebly sus
tanned. Perpetually assuming the re
lation of cause and effect, where none il
fact exists, both are satisfied with tn,
most false and merest appearances
They then substitute Pharisaical oh
servance of forms for a virtuous life
and confession Of faith for purity o
heart. Going to church too often pass
es for religion; refusing to adopt Ger
tain style Of dress is too often accepte,
as evidence Of virtue; taking an oath Q
allegiance, has too often been deeme,
!, evidence Of patriotism. 1t has bee
. said by wise student of history. tina
1.-THE most valuable additions to legis
..lation. have been those enact
/ ..ments destructive of former legis
'.lation?" In our day and countr
there is little danger that either go,
eminent within its sphere, or societ,
either by law, or without law, will, e,
cept in occasional instances, inyad
, the recognized right to the enjoymcl
Of life, liberty and property; but the
] may do worse, they may by unlawf,
interference, destroy the spirit Of sci
9 reliance and the love and the sense I
i personal independence.
This spirit should be resisted; it
e fraught with danger: it is an invasion ,
: the rights of the individual: it is an il
: suit to mans moral and intellectu,
, faculties; it is derogatory to his ran
!; and station as a reasoning and respons
BILE being; it is a tyranny to which /
!, cannot submit without degradation, an
e which il becomes him at all times |
: resist with reason and argument.
; Great opportunities carry with the
, great responsibilities. We enjoy Il
! one and must therefore incur the othe
Meet them, discharge them wi,
: clear head and pure hear
with \ firm purpose and q
unquailing courage. Let us i
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